Could an issue with my lacrimal apparatus be causing my constant eye irritation, and can Ayurveda help? - #16844

Your symptoms of alternating dry eyes and excessive watering suggest an imbalance in the lacrimal apparatus, likely due to aggravated Vata and Pitta doshas. Dryness is a Vata issue, while excessive tearing and redness indicate Pitta irritation. Factors like excessive screen time, dehydration, sinus congestion, and inflammation could be worsening the condition. Using artificial tear drops only provides temporary relief without addressing the underlying cause. Ayurveda focuses on nourishing the eye tissues, improving tear production, and balancing tear drainage naturally.

To strengthen your lacrimal apparatus and improve tear function, start with Triphala eye wash—soak Triphala powder in water overnight, strain it, and use the liquid to rinse your eyes in the morning. This helps cleanse and rejuvenate the eyes. Netra Tarpana (therapeutic ghee eye bath) using medicated ghee like Triphala ghee or Mahatriphala ghee can deeply nourish and lubricate dry eyes. You can also apply a drop of pure cow ghee in each eye at night to soothe irritation. For internal healing, take 1 tsp of Triphala powder with warm water before bed to detoxify and strengthen eye health over time.

Since dehydration and poor nutrition can affect tear production, focus on hydrating and eating eye-supportive foods. Drink plenty of warm water and herbal teas. Include ghee, almonds, soaked raisins, carrots, amla (Indian gooseberry), and leafy greens in your diet, as they support eye health. Avoid spicy, fried, and processed foods, which can aggravate Pitta and worsen inflammation. If sinus congestion is an issue, do steam inhalation with eucalyptus or ajwain and practice Nasya therapy (putting a few drops of Anu Taila or pure sesame oil in each nostril) to clear mucus and improve tear drainage.

Since excessive screen time strains the eyes, follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce digital eye strain. Blink frequently to keep your eyes naturally moist. Practicing palming (rubbing your hands together and gently cupping your eyes) can also relax the eye muscles. For long-term improvement, Ayurveda recommends eye yoga exercises and Shirodhara therapy (pouring warm herbal oil over the forehead) to calm the nervous system and reduce eye dryness caused by Vata imbalance. With consistent Ayurvedic care, your eye discomfort should gradually reduce, and your tear function will naturally improve. Let me know if you need further guidance!

Sounds like you’re dealing with quite a bit. Your symptoms could definitely tie into an imbalance in your lacrimal apparatus. And yes, Ayurveda could offer some insights and relief for your condition.

Let’s dive a bit into your situation. The dry eyes, excessive tearing, and redness you’re experiencing might indicate vata imbalance, which can dry out the body’s systems, including the eyes. Too much time on screens, dehydration, and sinus issues—well, they’re definitely contributing factors! The light and heat from screens can exacerbate pitta, leading to inflammation, while inadequate hydration can disrupt kapha, causing congestion.

Firstly, increasing fluid intake is crucial. Aim for 6-8 glasses of better quality water daily, but spread it through the day. Avoid very cold water- something Ayurveda isn’t a fan of.

Triphala is truly a gem for eye issues. You can prepare a triphala eye wash by soaking a teaspoon of triphala powder in a cup of water overnight. Strain it through a clean cloth in the morning and use that liquid to gently wash your eyes. Do once, maybe twice, daily.

Netra tarpana sounds complicated, but it’s not too bad. Basically, it involves holding medicated ghee in cups formed with dough around your eyes. You’d need an experienced practitioner for this though, don’t try it all by yourself.

About your diet - limit salty, fried, or spicy foods, as they aggravate both vata and pitta. Before bed, a warm glass of milk with a bit of turmeric or a pinch of cardamom might soothe your systems.

Consider a few lifestyle tweaks too. Take frequent screen breaks using the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Maybe sprinkle in a few blinks, ya know?

Still, if there’s a hint of an infection, get it checked out. We shouldn’t overlook that possibility. But overall, with Ayurveda’s wisdom, it’s about balance, staying hydrated, and taking deliberate, thoughtful care of yourself. You can hopefully tackle the root causes rather than just put a band-aid on the problem.